France Business Confidence

France: Business confidence drops in April

April 23, 2012

In April, the business sentiment index published by the National Statistical Institute (INSEE) fell to 95 points from a revised 98 points in March (previously reported: 96 points). The drop contrasted market expectations, which had business confidence remaining unchanged from the original March reading. As a result of the monthly drop, business sentiment remains below its long-term average of 100 points, where it has now languished for eight consecutive months. The April result reflected a deterioration in both general and personal production expectations. In addition, demand and export order levels worsened notably over the previous month. According to the Central Bank's monthly index of business activity (MIBA), GDP growth was flat in the first quarter, which matched INSEE's forecast in its April quarterly economic outlook.

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According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies’ (INSEE) business climate survey on manufacturing activity, the business sentiment index inched up from 112 points in December to 113 points in January.

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